Why Do You Wander?

The Skies of Dárdünah

The Skies of Dárdünah

The skies over Dárdünah change with the season and even the time of day. Brilliant auroras and mists come and go, producing swirling bands of color. Occasionally a glowing spiral shape can be seen through the clouds. The jánah believe this is where the Great Father and Mother entered Dárdünah in their fiery chariot.

The suns of Dárdünah travel from west to east. The smaller blue sun, Edü, is the first to rise. This is called False Dawn, and is a time of prayers and worship. The larger orange-yellow sun Lokáynü rises about an hour later at True Dawn, which signals the beginning of the workday. False Dusk marks the setting of Edü, when evening prayers are said. True Dusk comes at the setting of Lokáynü about an hour later.

The three moons, from smallest to largest, as well as from closest to furthest, are Rrísi (aqua), Kamádi (purple), and Máynatah (green). Rrísi’s cycle is 44 days, Kamádi’s is 20, and Máynatah’s is 32. Crystal dust in the atmosphere tends to magnify their light, so that the nights are never truly dark.

On one or two nights a year, however, no moons are visible and some of the stars can be seen. A night like this is called Tamáystra, and is feared by many. The stars are thought to be the eyes of demons searching for likely victims. Few people dare to go outside, and those born on this night are considered very unlucky.